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sarahthereadingaddict's review against another edition
5.0
I really love the concept of this book. Life is all the better when you surround yourself with people who support and love you and it is reciprocated.
The Sea-Gals are such a great group and really quite funny. My friend and I are hoping to start cold water swimming and this book as given me a funny insight into what it might be like.
Poor Helga is going through a lot, but I love that she has the Sea-Gals to help her get through the rough times.
I really like the connection to the pandemic but it's just mentioned now and then and is really relatable.
I love the chat on the beach that Claire and Ash have. It's something all teens should know about whether they're male or female. I like how concerned Ash sounds when his mum shares it with him.
This book is emotional, romantic and funny amongst other things, it's a really heart-warming story and I love the different characters and how the author dips into details in each of their lives. They're all connected but have a very different time and experience with one shared thing of being part of the Sea-Gals.
The Sea-Gals are such a great group and really quite funny. My friend and I are hoping to start cold water swimming and this book as given me a funny insight into what it might be like.
Poor Helga is going through a lot, but I love that she has the Sea-Gals to help her get through the rough times.
I really like the connection to the pandemic but it's just mentioned now and then and is really relatable.
I love the chat on the beach that Claire and Ash have. It's something all teens should know about whether they're male or female. I like how concerned Ash sounds when his mum shares it with him.
This book is emotional, romantic and funny amongst other things, it's a really heart-warming story and I love the different characters and how the author dips into details in each of their lives. They're all connected but have a very different time and experience with one shared thing of being part of the Sea-Gals.
ellyrarg's review against another edition
3.0
That was cute, I enjoyed the perspective of much older women. It was a bit of a faff getting everyone in order in the beginning, but once it got going it was sweet. Trent was an ass, wasn’t he? Still, it was cute. I enjoyed the winter swimming aspect!
markreadsbooks_sg's review against another edition
3.0
I got Lifesaving for Beginners by Josie Lloyd, for free from NetGalley for a fair free and optional review.
Lifesaving for Beginners is a sweet sentimental novel about a group of women who go swimming in the sea of Brighton and work together to deal with the issues in their lives.
Lifesaving for Beginners is one of those novels that I found very difficult to enjoy as a whole, however there were so many amazing chapters showing how the lives had been changed by being in this group.
For example there was a scene on the beach were characters who was suffering with the menopause was able to talk it over with the group and was able to find not only some helpful tips but a better understanding what was happening.
Another scene showed how swimming in the sea particularly when it was snowing was able to help with her issues, and the writing in this section really brought me into her mind.
The problem I had with Lifesaving for Beginners, was the fact that the whole novel was full of these moments for each character, yet there was no connection with the people involved with these scenes, the only connection I had was with the situation, not the people involved.
This could be because of the number of individuals in the story or the way that after a moving scene the next chapter started and you moved onto another person’s issues, only to go onto another character in the chapter after that.
The easiest way for me to describe this book is similar to when you are flicking through the channels on your television, where you get involved with a show for a couple of minutes and then move on to the next channel before changing again.
The way for me the writer could have improved the connection, is either cutting the number of characters down or staying with a character for a couple of chapters to allow readers to gain more of a connection with them or even making the book a collection of short stories.
Having said that with the emotional stories from each character still had me staying with the novel, it is just that there was never enough of a connection with the characters in the book to make it a must read recommendation,
However, Lifesaving for Beginners by Josie Lloyd is still a book which for the correct reader should be added to your TBR.
clairabella_bookworm's review
4.0
I loved The Cancer Ladies Running Club, so I was thrilled when I was given the opportunity to read Lifesaving for Beginners. I found this to be a really easy, heart warming read. A reminder that your life exists outside of social media and, spending too much time on posting the right image, means you end up missing out on the important stuff right in front of you. We are always being reinforced with the idea that you meet your best friends at school/University, but Josie demonstrates that you can make good friends at any stage of your life and, that it's normal to out grow your friends as well. What I take away from Lifesaving for Beginners is the importance to challenge yourself, don't be afraid to try something new or to leave a job you don't like. You'll regret it more if you don't take the risk.
kirstyreviewsbooks's review
4.0
Lifesaving for Beginners by Josie Lloyd
Narrated by Lucy Scott
I received an advance review copy for free thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK and I am leaving this review voluntarily
When Maddy receives a call on Christmas Day from her estranged son Jamie who has been missing for the past few years on a Brighton phone number, she decides to go there in attempt to track him down and repair their relationship. As she strolls on the beach one morning mulling over her next steps, she meets the Sea-Gals – a group of feisty women who are sea swimmers.
Seventy-year-old Helga is determined not to slow down because of her age, while twenty-something Tor is still figuring out who she is. Recently widowed Dominica swims to help deal with her grief, while busy mum of two Claire has started swimming to put herself first for a change.
The first thing that struck me about this book was how much Josie was using covid as a theme through the book - this actually spoilt my enjoyment. A satisfying ending redeemed this book a bit, but I feel like I am in the minority not loving this book. The characters are all enjoyable and overall this is a powerful book, with some very strong female characters.
Rating 3/5
Narrated by Lucy Scott
I received an advance review copy for free thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK and I am leaving this review voluntarily
When Maddy receives a call on Christmas Day from her estranged son Jamie who has been missing for the past few years on a Brighton phone number, she decides to go there in attempt to track him down and repair their relationship. As she strolls on the beach one morning mulling over her next steps, she meets the Sea-Gals – a group of feisty women who are sea swimmers.
Seventy-year-old Helga is determined not to slow down because of her age, while twenty-something Tor is still figuring out who she is. Recently widowed Dominica swims to help deal with her grief, while busy mum of two Claire has started swimming to put herself first for a change.
The first thing that struck me about this book was how much Josie was using covid as a theme through the book - this actually spoilt my enjoyment. A satisfying ending redeemed this book a bit, but I feel like I am in the minority not loving this book. The characters are all enjoyable and overall this is a powerful book, with some very strong female characters.
Rating 3/5
starryeyesali's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
I loved this! A gentle winding tale of found family, female friendship and overcoming life’s difficulties with swimming in the sea. Made me want to move to the coast immediately! Loved it.
thathappyreader's review
4.0
I really enjoyed this book. Josie Lloyd has written another lovely story where a group of women called the Sea-Gals come together to support one another daily and especially during difficult times. The individual storylines of each of these women are compelling and relatable. It is the compassion and care for each other that culminates into one dramatic moment that made the book for me.
Maddie is the newest addition to the group after finding out on Christmas Day that her husband had been having an affair for the past two years. The same day, she received a brief call from her son Jamie who had been missing for several years. She tracks the call to Brighton and travels there to try and find Jamie. She discovers and is fascinated by the Sea-Gals as she walks along the beach one day.
The group is made up of diverse women whose common interest is swimming in the sea. The physical and therapeutic benefits of swimming year-round in the sea were highlighted and each woman had their reason for participating. The women are at different points in their lives which created a significant bond in the group.
I listened to the audiobook version of Lifesaving For Beginners which was narrated by Lucy Scott. I enjoyed the diversity in her voice as she became each of the women in the group and the clarity in her voice. She made the book easy to listen to and would not hesitate to recommend the audiobook version to those that enjoy this format.
I recommend this book to those that enjoyed the author’s book The Bright Side Running Club (aka The Cancer Ladies’ Running Club) or to those that enjoy Women’s Fiction. It is a book that celebrates friendships between women and the idea that we are stronger together.
4.5 stars
I received an advanced copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
Maddie is the newest addition to the group after finding out on Christmas Day that her husband had been having an affair for the past two years. The same day, she received a brief call from her son Jamie who had been missing for several years. She tracks the call to Brighton and travels there to try and find Jamie. She discovers and is fascinated by the Sea-Gals as she walks along the beach one day.
The group is made up of diverse women whose common interest is swimming in the sea. The physical and therapeutic benefits of swimming year-round in the sea were highlighted and each woman had their reason for participating. The women are at different points in their lives which created a significant bond in the group.
I listened to the audiobook version of Lifesaving For Beginners which was narrated by Lucy Scott. I enjoyed the diversity in her voice as she became each of the women in the group and the clarity in her voice. She made the book easy to listen to and would not hesitate to recommend the audiobook version to those that enjoy this format.
I recommend this book to those that enjoyed the author’s book The Bright Side Running Club (aka The Cancer Ladies’ Running Club) or to those that enjoy Women’s Fiction. It is a book that celebrates friendships between women and the idea that we are stronger together.
4.5 stars
I received an advanced copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
mandajanex's review against another edition
5.0
I love love love this book!!! If I could list all the perfect ingredients for the perfect book, this is it. It hits so many good notes in one book and I just want to be a Sea-Gal and swim with these ladies. Give this book a read and you won't regret it!
gwenchen's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Beautiful and well written